Hatch cover and conning tower mechanism



Sept. 27, 1966 F. E. RIGSBY ETAL 3,274,955

HATCH COVER AND CONNING TOWER MECHANISM Filed July 16, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTORE 96 l/l/oadr'o W E/gsby, Fkan/K/fir E lP/ysby,

ww k M flttarneys Sept. 27, 1966 F. E. RIGSBY ETAL 3,274,965

HATCH COVER AND CONNING TOWER MECHANISM Filed July 16, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 1 N VE N TORS I MbodmW/Q'gsby, Fran/2707 Z; 63:78.55

United States Patent 3,274,965 HATCH COVER AND CONNING TOWER MECHANISMFranklin E. Rigsby and Woodrow Rigsby, both of 9525 Fritz Road, FortWayne, Ind. Filed July 16, 1964, Ser. No. 383,042 9 Claims. (Cl. 114-16)The present invention relates generally to a submarine hatch cover andconning tower mechanism, and more specifically to a relatively simpleand inexpensive hatch cover and conning tower mechanism especiallyadapted to a relatively small-sized submarine such as that demanded bythe aquatic sportsman.

Submarines have been known to the public for many years. Each submarinethat has been developed during this period of time has a hatch, awatertight hatch cover, and a conning tower as an essential part. Thehatch allows ingress and egress of the submarine crew, and any suppliesor cargo carried aboard the submarine. As every submarine issubmersible, a hatch cover must be provided to close the hatch therebyto prevent water from seeping into the hull whenever the submarine issub merged. Still further, as all submarines lie relatively low in thewater when surfaced, it is imperative that a hatch elevated by means ofa conning tower .be provided whenever the hatch is open to prevent waterfrom entering the hull through the open hatch. While various hatch covermechanisms and conning towers have been suggested, they have beenrelatively expensive to manufacture or unduly intricate, have caused anexcessive amount of hydrodynamic drag and thereby requiring propulsionsystems that are larger than necessary, or have been otherwiseunsuitable for use on a relatively small submarine. It is thereforedesirable to provide a simple and relatively inexpensive hatch cover andconning tower mechanism for a relatively small submarine that produces aminimal hydrodynamic drag whenever the hull is submerged.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved hatchcover and conning tower mechanism especially adapted to a relativelysmall submarine.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved hatch covermechanism which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved conning towermechanism which minimizes the hydrodynamic drag on the hull when it issubmerged.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an inexpensive hatchcover and conning tower mechanism especially adaptable to a relativelysmall submarine and which minimizes the hydrodynamic drag on the hullwhenever it is submerged.

In the broader aspects of this invention, there is provided a submarinehull having a hatch and a hatch cover. On either side of the hatch thereare a pair of hatchsupporting arms pivotally secured to the hull at oneend and to the hatch cover at the opposite end, the hatch cover beingmovable from a hatch-closing position to a hatch-opening position.Secured within the hatch is an extensible conning tower having atransparent shield which is movable to a fully extended position whenthe hatch cover is in the hatch-opening position and to a collapsedposition within the hatch when the hatch cover is in the hatch-closingposition. The hatch cover prevents water from entering the hull when thehatch is closed, and the conning tower fully surrounds the hatch therebypreventing water from entering the hatch when the hat-ch cover isinthehatch-opening position when the hull is surfaced.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects 3,274,965 PatentedSept. 27, 1966 of this invention and the manner of attaining them willbecome more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood byreference to the following description of an embodiment of the inventiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top view of the hatch cover mechanism of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the hatch cover and conning towermechanism of this invention showing the conning tower in its fullyextended position, the hatch cover in its hatch-opening position, andthe adjustable seat mounted within the submarine hull in registry withthe hatch;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view, in cross-section, showing the hatchcover in hatch-closing position, conning tower in its collapsedposition, and the resilient lock means engaged to the handles within thehatch cover;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view, partially in crosssection, showing thehatch cover in hatch-closing position and the conning tower in itscollapsed position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear view, partially in crosssection, showingthe hatch cover in its hatch-opening position, and the conning tower inits fully extended position; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the hatch cover shown in itshatch-closing position.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a submarine hatch ooverand conning tower mechanism generally comprising a submarine hull 10, ahatch 12, a hatch cover 14, an extensible conning tower 16, and a seatmechanism 18 which is adjustable in height.

The hatch 12 is shown to be generally circular and having an upwardlyfacing peripheral seat 20 which lies in a plane which intersects astraight line 22 which also intersects the longitudinal axis 24 of thehull 10 and is perpendicular to both the plane and the axis 24.

The hatch cover 14 comprises a base member 26 and a dome 28. Base member26 has a pair of opposite and coaxial circular end openings 30, 32. Endopening 30 is substantially the same size as hatch 12 and larger indiameter than end opening 32. Base member 26 has a peripheral seat 34surrounding end opening 30 which has a peripheral groove 36 therein.Secured in peripheral groove 36 is a conventional rubber O-ring 38 forsealing the hatch cover 14 to the hatch 12. Seat 34 has a size whichcorresponds to seat 20 and can be mated with seat 20 in sealingrelationship with O-ring 38 compressed therebetween. Dome 28 comprises atransparent and cylindrical tube 40 having opposite open ends 42, 44 anda transparent end plate 46. End plate 4-6 is secured to end 42 of tube40 thereby closing end 42. End plate 46 and tube 40 are preferably madeof Plexiglas or some other transparent, self-supporting, and strongmaterial. In the specific embodiment illustrated, the plate 46 issecured to tube 40 by a suitable adhesive or solvent; however, any meansby which end plate 46 can be secured to end 42 of tube 40 in :a mannerthat is strong and impervious to moisture would be satisfactory. Endplate 46 is provided with a thickness which is substantially greaterthan the wall thickness of tube 40 thereby to provide the end plate 46with a strength equal to the Walls of tube 40. Dome 28 is coxiallysecured to base member 26 with the open end 44 in registry with the endopening 32. A gasket (not shown) is provided and placed between the dome28 and the base member 26. The end opening 32 and the interior diameterof the dome 28 are substantially equal so that when the dome 28 isproperly installed on the base member 26, the gasket is compressedbetween the end 44 of the dome 28 and the portion of the base member 26surrounding and adjacent the opening 32.

Dome 28 is secured to base member 26 by means of a pair of ears 50 whichare secured to the end plate 46 at diametrically opposite positions andthe threaded receptacles 52 formed in the base member 26 at a positionin registry with the ears 50. Bolts 54 are passed through ears 50 .andare threaded into the receptacles 52 thereby securing dome 28 to thebase member 26 and also providing additional securance of the end plate46 to the tube 40. Secured within hatch cover 14 and on either side ofbase member 26 in alignment with the longitudinal axis 24 are a pair ofhandles 57. Handles 57 provide a means by which the occupant of thesubmarine can lift the hatch cover 14 or lower the hatch cover 14 toopen and close the hatch 12, respectively, and to lock the hatch cover14 in hatch-closing position, as will be described hereinafter.

The hatch cover 14 is mounted onto hull by means of a pair of hatchsupport arms 56 having opposite ends 58, 60 which have right and leftthreaded portions (not shown), respectively. Theadedly received on ends58, 60 are identical ball and socket joint mechanisms 62 thereby formingwith support arms 56 a turnbuckle by which the arms 56 may be adjustedin length. Support arms 56 are secured to the hull 10 by means of ahatch support 64 which is secured to hull 10 on opposite sides of hatch12. Specifically, the ball portions of mechanism 62 have a threaded studportion 66 which is secured to hatch support 64 by means of a pair ofconventional nuts 68 on either side of support 64. Stud portion 66 has alength such that by positioning the bolts 68 at various positions alongthe length of stud portion 66, the securance of hatch support arms 56 isadjustable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24. Ina similar manner, stud portion 66 of the ball and socket joint mechanism62 at end 58 of arms 56 are secured to a pair of ears 70 secured to basemember 26 on either side of dome 28. In this manner, the hatch cover 14is swivelly secured to the hatch supporting arms 56 which are in turnswivelly secured to the submarine hull 10. The guard rod 72 is securedto the distal ends of the ball and socket joint mechanism 62 attached toend 58 of the hatch support arms 56 thereby interconnecting both of thesupport arms 56 and forming a yoke 74 therewith. Yoke 74 surrounds hatchcover 14 and is rotatable with respect to hull 10 about an axis 76 whichis perpendicular to axis 24, and hatch cover 14 is rotatable within yoke74 about axis 78 which is also perpendicular to axis 24 (see FIG. 1).

Hatch cover 14 mounted in the above-described manner is rotatable from ahatch-closing position in which seat 34 is mated to seat with the O-ring38 compressed r therebetween, through a series of intermediatepositions, to a hatch-opening position in which the hatch cover 14 isinclined to the longitudinal axis 24 of the hull 10, as shown in FIG. 2.

A pair of hatch cover guide bars is secured to hull 10 adjacent to andon opposite sides of the hatch 12 to position the hatch cover 14 inregistry with the hatch 12 when the latter two parts are adjacentthereby to insure the mating of the seat 34 to the seat 20 when thehatch cover 14 is placed in the hatch-closing position. This function isperformed by the hatch cover guide bars 80 by being spaced apart adistance equal to the diameter of the base member 26 at end 30 therebyrejecting the hatch cover 14 unless it is properly aligned in thedirection of axis 78. Such alignment, if needed, is made asaforementioned by moving the nuts 68 along the studs 66 at either of theends 58, 60 of the hatch cover support rods 56. The alignment of hatchcover 14 with the hatch 12 in the direction perpendicular thereto, i.e.,in the direction of axis 24, is made by adjusting the length of hatchsupport rods 56 by means of the turnbuckle mechanism thereof, saidadjustment being maintained by tightening locking nuts 82 against theball and socket joint mechanism 62 and end 58 of the hatch cover supportarms 56.

A pair of resilient straps 84 are secured within hatch 12 to oppositesides of the hull 10. Straps 84 are engageable with the handles 57 whenthe hatch cove-r 14 is in the hatch-closing position as shown in FIG. 1.The straps 84 are slid onto the handles 57 and provide a locking meansfor the hatch cover 14. Straps 84 also provide an additional forcebetween the seats 34, 20 that aids in the compression of O-ring 38-therebetween. While it has been found in some embodiments of thisinvention that water seeps under the hatch cover 14- when the submarineis submerged near the surface where no water pressure is available tohelp seal the hatch cover 14, this additional compressive force on theO'-ring 38 provided by the straps 84 has been found to alleviate thisditficulty.

A hook 86 is secured to the hull 10 at a position axially displaced fromthe hatch 12 and a resilient strip 88 is secured to the hull 10therebetween. A detent 90 is formed on the base member 26 adjacent theperipheral portion of the base member 26 upon which the hatch cover 14rests when the hatch cover 14 is in the hatchopening position as shownin FIG. 2. Detent 90 engages the hook 86 and the aforesaid peripheralportion of the base member 26 engages the resilient strip 88 when thehatch cover 14 is in the forementioned hatch-opening position. Thecombination of the frictional forces between the hatch cover 14 and theresilient strip 88 and the detent 90 and the hook 86, respectively,holds the hatch cover in the hatch-opening position. It has been foundthat the hatch cover 14 secured in the hatch-opening position by theaforesaid means is stable under all conditions of rough water.

Referring now specifically to 'FIG. 2, a seat 18 which is adjustable inheight will now be described. Seat 18 is mounted onto the hull 10 bymeans of two pair of seat supports 92 which are secured to the interiorof the hull opposite each other. Supports 92 define a rectangle having asupport 92 at each corner thereof and lying in a plane parallel to theplane of the peripheral seat 20 aforementioned and being in registrywith the hatch 12. Each pair of supports 92 secures a rod 94 to the hull10. Secured between rods 94 is a strip 96 of seat fabric having oppositeends. 'One end of the strip 96 is secured to one of the rods 94 which isimmovably secured to the seat supports 92. The other end of the strip 96is secured to the rod 94 (shown in FIG. 2) which is removably secured inthe supports 92 thereby providing that the strip 96 can be rolled on thesecond-mentioned rod 94 as shown and secured when desired. This featureprovides adjustment in the height of the strip 96 by merely adjustingthe slack in the same. Removable securance of the see ond-mentioned rod94 is achieved by means of a tongue portion 98 of the rod 94 which fitsinto a slot 100 in one of the seat supports 92 (shown in FIG. 2).

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2 through 4, there is shown anextensible conning tower 16 which is movable to a fully-extendedposition when hatch cover 14 is in hatch-opening position (see FIG. 2)and to a fully collapsed position within hatch 12 when the hatch coveris in the hatch-closing position (see FIG. 3). Conning tower 16generally comprises a strip 102 of flexible and transparent materialwhich can be any material which is impervious to moisture and has thecombined properties of the required strength, the require-d opticalproperties, and does not become cloudy or brittle with age. 12-gaugepolystyrene sheet material has proven satisfactory; however, such othermaterials such as those used to make flexible convertible top windows ortransparent automobile seat covers could also be used. Flexible strip102 is joined at its ends thereby forming a tube. Secured to thelongitudinal edges of the strip 102 (opposite end-s of thetube) are apair of self-supporting, metal rings 104 and 106. Ring 104 is preferablymade of metal and has a diameter such that it can pass through ring 106.Ring 106 must have both strength and resiliency; and, therefore, ispreferably made with a metal core 108 and a resilient rubber surfacecoating 110. Ring 106 has a diameter such that it will snugly fit withinhatch 12. The ring 106 is secured within hatc-h 12 and adjacent andparallel seat 20 with a portion of the strip 102 between the ring 106and the hatch 12. The securance of ring 106 is achieved by means of aplurality of clamps 1 12 which urge the ring 106 against the hatch 12compressing the resilient surface therebetween and circumferentiallysealing the ring 106 and the strip 102 to the hatch 12. By means of thissec-urance, when the conning tower 16 is extended, as shown in FIG. 5,the conning tower prevents waves from breaking over the hatch 12 andentering the hull 10. Further, the conning tower 16 in its collapsedposition within hatch 12, as shown in FIG. 3, collects whatever seepagethere may be between the hatch cover 14 and the hatch 12 in the fold1*14 preventing such seepage from wetting the occupants of the submarineand permitting easy hailing of such seepage when the submarine issurfaced by merely opening the hatch cover 14 and extending the conningtower into position of FIG. 5.

A pair of conning tower supports 116 are secured to hull and extendabove the hatch 12 on opposite sides thereof. In the embodiment shown inthe drawings, conning tower supports 11-6 are strengthened by means of apair of bracket portions 118. A pair of spring elements 120 are providedto hold the conning tower 16 in its fully-extended position. Springs 120have opposite ends 122 and 124. End 122 is secured to ring 104- atdiametrically opposed positions and ends 124 are engageable to theconning tower supports 116 whenever the conning tower 16 is fullyextended as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

In a specific embodiment, those elements of the present invention whichhave not been heretofore described as being preferably made out of anyspecific material can be made of any suitably strong metal. Steel ispreferred as it is relatively inexpensive. Further, securance of allpreviously'mentioned metal parts to other metal parts is preferably doneby welding, brazing or the like means; however, the use of conventionalnuts and bolts, rivets, and the like may be used so long as suchsecuring means are sealed so as to prevent water seepage.

In operation, the hatch cover and conning tower mechanism of thisinvention is used on a relatively small submarine to prevent water fromentering the hull 10 through the hatch 12 both when the submarine issubmerged and when the submarine is surfaced. When the submarine issurfaced, the conning tower 16 is extended in the position shown in FIG.2, thereby preventing waves from. breaking over the peripheral seat 2'!)and into the hatch 12. As soon as the crew of the submarine enters, thesubmarine is prepared for submerge-nee by collapsing the conning tower16 and closing the hatch cover 14 by grasping the handles '57 androtatably urging the hatch cover 14 onto the seat of the hatch 12. Whenthe hatch cover 14 is properly closed and locked by means of theresilient strips 84 being engaged to the handles 57, the hatch cover 14seals the hatch 12 from any seepage of water whether surfaced orsubmerged. Dome 28 of the hatch cover 14 is of such a size that apersons head fits comfortably therein and allows him to see therethroughin any direction he desires.

When the occupant of the submarine is properly positioned within thesubmarine hull 10, his head must be centrally located within the dome 28so that he may properly see to navigate the submarine. When in theproper position, the operator may also navigate the submarine with thehatch cover 14 in the hatch-opening position of FIG. 2 and with theconning tower 16 in its fully-extended position as visibility may be hadthrough the conning tower 16. For proper positioning of the occupant inthe dome 28, the seat 18 is adjustable in height by means of disengagingthe bar 94 from the slot 100 and rolling or unrolling the strip 96 ofseat fabric as needed and replacing the rod 9 4 within the slot 100 soas to secure the seat at the height desired. Once this adjustment ismade, the adjustment need not be changed, as the proper height of theoccupant is attained for navigation both with the hatch cover 14 in 1ahatch-closing position and in a hatch-opening position.

While there have been described above the principles of this inventionin connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understoodthat this description is made only by way of example and not as alimitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A submarine hatch cover and conning tower mechanism comprising asubmarine hull with a hatch therein having a first upwardly facingperipheral seat lying in a plane intersecting a straight line which alsointersects the longitudinal axis of said hull and is perpendicular toboth said plane and said axis, a hatch cover comprising a base memberand a dome, said base member having a pair of opposite and coaxial,circular end openings, one of said end openings being larger than theother of said end openings and having a second peripheral seat of a sizecorresponding to said first peripheral seat, a peripheral groove in saidsecond seat and an O-ring in said groove, said dome comprising atransparent cylindrical tube having opposite and open tube ends and atransparent end plate, said end plate closing one of said tube ends andhaving a thickness greater than the wall thickness of said tube, saiddome being coaxially secured to said base with the other of said tubeends in registry with the smaller end opening of said base, said smallerend opening having diametral dimensions equal with the interior of saidtube, a pair of handles secured within said hatch cover on either sideof said base member in alignment with said longitudinal axis of saidhull, a pair of batch supports secured to said hull on opposite sides ofsaid hatch equally spaced from said longitudinal axis, a pair of hatchsupport arms having opposite ends, a ball and socket joint mechanism ateach of said ends and a turnbuckle therebetween, one of said ends beingswivelly secured to said hatch supports, the other of said ends beingswivelly secured to said hatch cover, the securance of at least one ofsaid ends being adjustable in position in a direction perpendicular tosaid longitudinal axis, said hatch support arms being adjustable inlength, a guard rod being secured to said other ends of said hatchsupport arms interconnecting said hatch support arms and thereby forminga yoke surrounding said hatch cover and in which said hatch cover isrotatable, said hatch cover and said yoke being movable from ahatch-closing position in which said first and second seats are rnatedwith said O-ring compressed therebetween, through a series ofintermediate positions, to a hatch-opening position in which said hatchcover is inclined to said longitudinal axis of said hull, a pair ofhatch cover guide bars secured to said hull adjacent and on oppositesides of said hatch, said guide bars positioning said hatch cover inregistry with said hatch when the latter two parts are adjacent therebyassuring the mating of said first and second. seats, a pair of resilientlock means secured within said hatch to opposite sides of said hull,said lock means being engageable with said handles when said hatch coveris in said hatchclosing position, a hook secured to said hull at aposition axially displaced from said hatch and a resilient strip securedto said hull therebetween, a detent ridge secured on said base memberadjacent the portion of the periphery of said base member upon whichsaid hatch cover rests when in said hatchopening position, said detentridge engaging said hook and said peripheral portion of said base memberengages said strip when said hatch cover is in said hatch-openingposition thereby holding said hatch cover in said hatch-openingposition, and an extensible conning tower which is movable to afully-extended position when said hatch cover is in said hatchopeningposition and to a collapsed position within said hatch when said hatchcover is in said hatch-closing position whereby said hatch cover in saidhatch-closing position prevents water from entering said hatch when saidhull is submerged and said conning tower in said fullyextended positionprevents water from entering said hatch when said hatch cover is in saidhatch-opening position and said hull is surfaced.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said extensible conning towercomprises a strip of flexible and transparent Waterproof material havingopposite ends and longitudinal edges, a pair of rings having differentdiameters, said ends of said strip being secured together and said ringssecured to said opposite longitudinal edges, said larger ring fittingcoaxially into said hatch and having a resilient outer surface, aplurality of clamps, said clamps securing said larger ring to said hatchwith said strip therebetween, said clamps compressing said resilientsurface of said larger ring against said hatch into circumferentialsealing engagement with said hatch, a pair of conning tower supportssecured to said hull and extending above said hatch on opposite sidesthereof, a pair of spring elements having opposite ends, said springelements being secured at one of said ends to said smaller ring atdiametrically opposite positions, the other end of said spring elementsbeing engageable with said conning tower supports when said strip is insaid fully-extended position and said hatch cover is in saidhatch-opening position, said strip being collapsible within said hatchwhen said hatch cover is in said hatch-closing position.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising two pair of seat supportssecured to said hull opposite each other and within said hull, saidsupports defining a rectangle having a support at each corner thereofwhich lies in a plane parallel to said plane of said first peripheralseat, said rectangle being in registry with said hatch, two rods, one ofsaid rods secured in one of said pairs of seat supports, the other ofsaid rods removably secured by the other of said pairs, a strip of seatfabric having opposite ends, one of said ends being secured to said onered, the other of said ends secured to said other rod, said strip beingrolled on said other rod, thereby adjusting the height of said fabric.

4. A submarine hatch cover comprising a submarine hull with a hatchtherein having a first upwardly facing peripheral seat lying in a planeintersecting a straight line which also intersects the longitudinal axisof said hull and is perpendicular to both said plane and said axis, ahatch cover comprising a base member and a dome, said base member havinga pair of opposite and coaxial, circular end openings, one of said endopenings being larger than the other of said end openings and having asecond peripheral seat of a size corresponding to said first peripheralseat, a peripheral groove in said second seat and an O- ring in saidgroove, said dome comprising a transparent cylindrical tube havingopposite and open tube ends and a transparent end plate, said end plateclosing one of said tube ends and having a thickness greater than thewall thickness of said tube, said dome being coaxially secured to saidbase with the other of said tube ends in registry with the smaller endopening of said base, said smaller end opening having diametraldimensions equal with the interior of said tube, a pair of handlessecured within said hatch cover on either side of said base member inalignment with said longitudinal axis of said hull, a pair of hatchsupports secured to said hull on opposite sides of said hatch equallyspaced from said longitudinal axis, a pair of hatch support arms havingopposite ends, a ball and socket joint mechanism at each of said endsand a turnbuckle therebetween, one of said ends being swivelly securedto said hatch supports, the other of said ends being swivelly secured tosaid hatch cover, the securance of at least one of said ends beingadjustable in position in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinalaxis, said hatch support arms being adjustable in length, a guard rodbeing secured to said other ends of said hatch support armsinterconnecting said hatch support arms and thereby forming a yokesurrounding said hatch cover and in which said hatch cover is rotatable,said hatch cover and said yoke being movable from a hatch-closingposition in which said first and second seats are mated with said O-ringcompressed therebetwecn, through a series of intermediate positions, toa hatch-opening position in which said hatch cover is inclined to saidlongitudinal axis of said hull, a pair of hatch cover guide bars securedto said hull adjacent and on opposite sides of said hatch, said guidebars positioning said hatch cover in registry with said hatch when thelatter two parts are adjacent thereby assuring the mating of said firstand second seats, a pair of resilient lock means secured within saidhatch to opposite sides of said hull, said lock means being engageablewith said handles when said hatch cover is in said hatch-closingposition, a hook secured to said hull at a position axially displacedfrom said hatch and a resilient strip secured to said hull therebetween,a detent ridge secured on said base member adjacent the portion of theperiphery of said base member upon which said hatch cover rests when insaid hatch-opening position, said detent ridge engaging said hook andsaid peripheral portion of said base member engages said strip when saidhatch cover is in said hatch-opening position thereby holding said hatchcover in said hatch-opening position whereby said hatch cover in saidhatch-closing position prevents water from entering said hatch when saidhull is submerged.

5. A submarine hatch cover and conning tower mechanism comprising asubmarine hull with a hatch therein having a first upwardly facingperipheral seat and a longitudinal axis, a hatch cover having atransparent dome and a second peripheral seat corresponding in size tosaid first peripheral seat, a pair of handles secure-d within said hatchcover on either side of said base member in alignment with saidlongitudinal axis of said h-ull, a pair of hatch supporting arms havingopposite ends, said supporting arms being adjustable in length, one ofsaid ends being swivelly secured to said hull on opposite sides of saidhatch, said last-mentioned securance being adjustable in position in adirection perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, the other of saidends being swivelly secured to said hatch cover, a guard rod beingsecured to said other ends of said hatch support arms interconnectingsaid hatch support arms and thereby forming a yoke surrounding saidhatch cover and in which said hatch cover is rotatable, said hatch coverand said yoke being movable from a hatch-closing position in which saidfirst and second seats are mated, through a series of intermediatepositrons, to a hatch-opening position in which said hatch coyer isinclined to said longitudinal axis of said hull, a pair of resilientlock means secured within said hatch to opposite sides of said hull,said lock means being engageable with said handles when said hatch coveris in said hatch-closing position, and an extensible conning tower whichis movable to a fully-extended position when said hatch cover is in saidhatchopening position and to a collapsed position when said hatch coveris in said hatchclos ng position, whereby said hatch cover in saidhatchclosrng position prevents water from entering said hatch when saidhull is submerged and said conning tower in said fully-extended positionprevents water from entering said hatch when said hatch cover is in saidhatch-opening position and said hull is surfaced.

6. The mechanism of claim 5 wherein said extensible conning towercomprises a transparent, waterproof and tubular shield surrounding andcoaxial to said hatch and having opposite open ends, one of said ends ofsaid shield being peripherally secured and scaled within said hatch, apair of conning tower supports secured to said hull and extending abovesaid hatch on opposite sides thereof, the

other of said ends of said shield being securable to said supports whensaid conning tower is in said fully-extended pos1t1on.

7, A submarine hatch cover and conning tower comprising a submarine hullwith a hatch therein, a hatch cover and a pair of hatch supporting armshaving opposite ends, said hatch cover pivotally secured to said arms atone of said ends, said arms being pivotally se-: cured to said hull onopposite sides of said hatch, said hatch cover being movable from ahatch-closing position to a hatch-opening position, and an extensibleconning tower including a transparent, waterproof and tubular shieldsurrounding said hatch, said shield having opposite ends, a shield endbeing peripherally secured and sealed to said hatch, said conning towerbeing movable to a fullyextended position when said hatch cover is insaid hatchopening position and to a collapsed position when said hatchcover is in said hatch-closing position, said conning tower in saidfully-extended position extending above said hatch and in collapsedposition being no higher than said hatch, whereby said hatch cover insaid hatch-closing position prevents water from entering said hatch whensaid hull is submerged and said conning tower in said fully-extendedposition prevents water from entering said hatch when said hatch coveris in :said hatch-opening position and said hull is surfaced.

8. For use in a submarine, a hull having an opening therein, a conningtower of flexible, foldable and waterproof sheet-like material, one endof said tower being positioned in registry with said opening, meanssealing said one end to said hull, said tower being selectivelyextensible outwardly from said hull and foldable to a collapsed positionwithin said opening, said hull in the region immediately beneath saidtower being open for occupancy by an operator, said tower being disposedoutside said region in both collapsed and extended conditions.

9. For use in a submarine, a hull having an opening therein, a conningtower of flexible, foldable and waterproof material, one end of saidtower being positioned in registry with said opening, means sealing saidone end to said hull, said tower being extensible from a foldedcollapsed condition outwardly from said hull, and a cover operativelymounted on said hull and engageable with said opening to close the same,said tower being foldable and collapsible to a position within saidopening and beneath said cover when the latter is closed, said hull inthe region immediately beneath said tower being open for occupancy by anoperator, said tower being disposed outside said region in bothcollapsed and extended conditions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 926,065 6/1909Lake 114l6 1,345,836 7/1920 Collier 114-16 2,888,163 5/1959 Eisenman220-38 2,923,430 2/1960 Stengele 220-38 MILTON BUCHLER, PrimaryExaminer.

T. M. BLIX, Assistant Examiner.

8. FOR USE IN A SUBMARINE, A HULL HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, A CONNINGTOWER OF FLEXIBLE, FOLDABLE AND WATERPROOF SHEET-LIKE MATERIAL, ONE ENDOF SAID TOWER BEING POSITIONED IN REGISTRY WITH SAID OPENING, MEANSSEALING SAID ONE END TO SAID HULL, SAID TOWER BEING SELECTIVELYEXTENSIBLE OUTWARDLY FROM SAID HULL AND FOLDABLE TO A COLLAPSED POSITIONWITHIN SAID OPENING, SAID HULL IN THE REGION IMMEDIATELY BENEATH SAIDTOWER BEING OPEN FOR OCCUPANCY BY AN OPERATOR, SAID TOWER BEING DISPOSEDOUTSIDE SAID REGION IN BOTH COLLAPSED AND EXTENDED CONDITIONS.